| Author | Message | ||
     Geopatr |
Picked it up from the shipping company and rode it home. Barely made it. The clutch started to slip so bad I had to idle it home!! I am so pissed!! I have 2 full years of warranty, but I want to ride it!!! and the closest HD dealer is 250mi away!!! The cable feels right!! Is there some internal adjustment that can be out? Or is the clutch hooped? I just want to CRY!!!!  Or shoot somebody!! | ||
| Hughlysses |
Hang in there dude. Yes, there is an internal adjustment. I'd guess you don't YET have a shop manual (go ahead and order one from Andy at Appleton Buell today!), but there is a copy of an old Buell shop manual on Badweb and I'm 99% sure the adjustment procedure is exactly the same. Here's a link to the section which includes clutch adjustment: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/Manuals/S1_1 996-1997_Service/BU1b.pdf Click through a few pages to get to the clutch section (page 8 of 26). You'll have to rig some way to hold the bike basically level or the transmission oil will spill out when you remove the cover. Make sure you have a good Torx tool to remove the fasteners on the clutch cover; these have been known to round out fairly easily. Other than that, it's a simple procedure which should only take ~15 minutes or so. Good luck! | ||
| Geopatr |
Thank you Hugh. Your help is appreciated!!  | ||
| Hughlysses |
Glad to help; hope that fixes it. | ||
| Daves |
if it was a demo it should still be under warranty? Where did you get it from? | ||
| Davo |
Adjust the cable adjustment to create a large amount of play in the clutch cable then adjust the clutch (inside the cover) to create 1/4 turn free play on the center adjusting screw. Remove the spring/lockplate and then turn screw counterclockwise to zero then turn 1/4 turn clockwise. Remember to reinstall the spring/lockplate then torque cover no more than 84 in-lbs or "screw driver tight". (INCH-lbs NOT FT-lbs) Then adjust clutch cable to 1/16"-1/8"free play. (Message edited by davo on August 04, 2007) | ||
| Hughlysses |
So...? Did that fix it? Hopefully yes, and he's too busy enjoying his new Uly to tell us about it... | ||
| Orangeulius |
What a bummer 1st experience. Raise hell and have them make it right. It's a great bike. in general the dealer network leaves a lot to be desired. | ||
| Kuuud |
Prob was just the lock nut on the cable adjustment. | ||
| Geopatr |
Thanks guys for all your help. I went and did the adjustment like the shop manual says. Now I can't pull the clutch leaver at all!! What did I do wrong? | ||
| Hughlysses |
Man, I can't imagine unless you didn't do something right. Did you first loosen the cable adjustment (long hex fitting under rubber boot at the front of the bike), then LIGHTLY seat the clutch adjusting screw inside the clutch cover? (Turn clockwise until you start to feel resistance.) Then pull clutch lever three times to seat the mechanism, adjust long hex fitting to give 1/16 to 1/8" free play at the clutch lever. The only thing I can think of is that you turned the adjusting screw in too far. Start over and try again. If that doesn't fix it, better find a mechanic. | ||
| New12r |
Then turn clockwise 1/4 to 1/2 turn. Just did this the other day on my bike, did that for 35k on the old one with no clutch issues ever. (Message edited by new12r on August 07, 2007) | ||
| Geopatr |
I will do it again tonight. Step by step according to the shop manual to make sure I didn't screw up. How many turns do you turn it counter clockwise before it seats? I had to go many turns!! I wonder if the clutch is shot? It shuldn't be after only 8k!!! Unless the bike was being driven TOO HARD!!!  | ||
| New12r |
You should only have to go about a 1/4 to 1/2 turn counter clockwise to seat it. | ||
| Geopatr |
Hi New12r, I think there is something wrong!! I had to go about 6 full turns to seat it!!! Cheers, George | ||
| New12r |
Sounds like the guy who adjusted the clutch at the dealer did it WRONG. I am surprised the bike moved at all with the clutch being disengaged from the previous adj. If you were not in canada I would stop by and give you a hand. You have a shop manual right?? If so just go step by step, I adjust my clutch and cable at every fluid change, I already have the bike apart and it only takes a moment to do it. Keep in mind when you turn the screw clockwise you are adjusting the free play between the ball ramp and the clutch, more you turn it in the less the clutch will engage thus the slipping you described. Now if it slipped all the way home you might have burnt up the clutch. Have you contacted the dealer who sold you the bike, it is still under a factory warranty. | ||
| New12r |
The manual procedure posted above is correct for the Uly too. Slightly different primary cover but the steps all match the new ones. Follow that and let us know. | ||
| Geopatr |
I only went about 5 blocks with the clutch slipping. When I opened the cover and followed the directions, I found the screw had to come out counterclockwise at least 6 full turns!! Turned it back clockwise 1/4 turn like it said. Adjusted the cable to the right slack and now the clutch leaver wont go at all!! It is like it is hitting something solid on the inside!! The bike is under warranty, but the closest HD dealer is about 400km(250mi) away!! The dealer I bought it from is 700mi away!!! | ||
| Stevem123 |
The term "seating it" is misleading you. Do not turn the screw until it stops..... Back the screw up until it feels very loose. Then turn it back in until you just begin to feel resistance. That's the seated position you speak of. Now back it out 1/4 to 1/2 turn. It will feel loose but that's correct. It means the clutch plates are fully disengaged. Now adjust your clutch cable as per the manual. Hope that helps! BC Steve | ||
| Scooter808484 |
Seated.... is a little bit of a mismomer. Just tighten it until you feel the first little resistance, like the above post said. Sounds like you tightened the screw until it bottomed out and then the lever won't move, because you've already disengaged the clutch with the set screw. If you think about what you are trying to do, you want the plates to be fully contacting with just a smidge of slack. The 1/4 to 1/2 turn gives you the smidge. I usually check my work by making sure I can move the clutch release lever just a little before the plates start to separate. Don't ask how I know this!! | ||
| Geopatr |
I am a GOOOOOOFFFF!!! That is where I went wrong. I turned the screw counter clockwise until it wouldn't go any more!!!And then I backed it up by 1/4 turn!! So when I get home from work tonight I'll try and do it THE CORRECT WAY!!! I hope that this will fix it!! Thanks to all of you that helped to set me straight!! Cheers, George | ||
| New12r |
Keep us posted!! | ||
| Hughlysses |
Good deal George. I've done similar things- read the manual 10 times, done the procedure, didn't work, finally figured out I'd read it wrong or missed some simple but vital step. You'll get it yet. | ||
| Geopatr |
I just want to say THANK YOU!!!! I adjusted the clutch just like you guys told me to, and it worked great!! I was out riding tonight!! It felt great!!! You guys ROCK!! | ||
| New12r |
SWEET! Glad you are up and running!!! I love my Uly and I hope you do too. | ||
| Geopatr |
Yes I am up and running now. Thanks to you guys. This is one great bike  (Message edited by geopatr on August 08, 2007) | ||
| Miamiuly |
Glad you got that worked out so now you can just enjoy. Definitely a great site. | ||
| New12r |
 Too clean my friend! You need to get that thing dirty!!! | ||
| Scooter808484 |
Glad to hear that it worked OK!!! I did the same thing on my Road King the first time I tried to adjust the clutch. | ||
| Horridus |
Glad to hear all is well and your out on the road. This is a great group here that is over the top helpful. I wish I was of more use but not a wrencher. Now if you wanted to slice and dice some animals I am your man, hehe. Have fun, Horr | ||
| Hughlysses |
Now, call up the dealer you bought it from and thank him for his overwhelming customer service as demonstrated by his detailed checkout of the bike prior to shipping it to you! | ||
| Bertotti |
New12r I was thinking the same thing. Mine hasn't been that clean since the day I got it. Hughlysses is right you need to tell the dealer what you had to do to get going. I would pitch a fit. | ||
| Geopatr |
I did call the dealer and he'll make it up to me. He felt bad and was very sorry. He thinks someone in service dropped the ball. I am just happy it works. I found this bike at a dealer located 1000mi away. I did get a great deal and had it at my door in 3 days. | ||
| Bertotti |
That is pretty good for the sales side of the dealership. |
